The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Book 3 The Alpha’s Substitute Bride – Episode 15

~ISABELLA~

He seemed to sense my anxiousness and so finally opened his mouth to speak.

“My sister invited me over for her birthday tomorrow. After this incident today, I don’t want you anywhere without me. We’re staying by her for a few days and then we will return home.” He answered as he zipped up the bag.

I felt sudden relief flow through me at his words. I wasn’t even aware that Hunter had a sister. Everyone made it sound like he didn’t have much of a family. Now I wondered if his sister would be anything like him; extremely cold and distant from everything around her.

I followed him down the steps and saw that there were already a few servants waiting at the bottom for us.

“Isabella and I will not be back until a few days. There are a few renovations that should be done while we’re out, both in our room and out by the pool.”

They nodded. “Yes Mr. Miller, we will get to it right away.”

When we got outside to the parking lot there were many of Hunter’s men all lined up and standing at attention. “Take care of the house while I’m out.”

“Are you sure that you don’t want some of us to come with you?” One of the men asked. I believed that his name was Dane, the one second in charge after Hunter or in other words, his beta. I wasn’t sure of how Hunter’s pack worked; they didn’t seem like the average werewolf clan.

Hunter nodded without a second thought. “Esma’s home has always been a safe place, there shouldn’t be any problems. Still be on the lookout for any mind links from me however.”

Dane nodded and opened the door for me while Hunter got in the driver’s side. We were both quiet for the entire ride. I wasn’t sure what to say to him after everything he’d said to me. There were still many things that needed to be addressed but I chose to not bring light to them just yet. Maybe it would do us both some good if I just let it slide this once. I hugged myself as his scent took over the entire inside of the vehicle. I never thought someone’s scent would have such an impact on me but with Hunter I was experiencing so many new things.

I didn’t think that I was not the only one feeling these things however. Hunter’s strong grip on the steering wheel was a clear giveaway. Somehow I knew that he could hear every breath, every heartbeat, and every flutter of my eyelashes.

I couldn’t help but look at the way his throat moved when he swallowed or how focused he was on the road when really, we both knew that he was only pretending. The pulse in his neck and his clenched jaw showed how much I affected him. He no doubt could tell that I was staring at him and enjoying the view.

A part of me wanted to reach across and jump on his lap, straddle him and take what was mine. He shouldn’t be this tempting. He shouldn’t be this tempting to me when his heart belonged to someone else. But even though I already knew this fact, I couldn’t let go of the strong feelings within me. I didn’t want to give up what I felt just because he didn’t feel the same way.

But will I ever have the courage to tell him this? I already knew the answer before I thought about it.

I wouldn’t tell him. No . . . not until I’d completely lost it and couldn’t take it anymore. Hunter would have to push me to the edge before I snapped like that.

But what would happen then? What would Hunter do if he knew exactly how strongly I felt for him?

I didn’t have time to ponder on that thought for we were already pulling up to a small house surrounded by a beautiful garden. Something about this home completely warmed my heart. There was this peaceful aura about it that called out to me and made me happy to step out of the jeep.

Hunter beat me to it however; he was already out of the door before I could blink. I watched with parted lips when he reached a woman much shorter than him and pulled her into his arms.

I stopped and stared, not because he was holding onto another woman but because it’s the first time that I’ve actually seen a genuine smile on Hunter’s face and I can’t stop looking at it. It’s what I’ve wanted to experience for the longest while now. Now that I’d gotten my wish I didn’t want him to ever stop smiling. Once more I felt a sharp stab of jealousy at knowing that Maggie got to see that smile so easily without even having to try for it.

I shook my head at that thought. I needed to stop thinking about a woman that was no longer alive. I decided to focus on this other woman instead.

Every feature of the woman completely matched Hunter’s so much that I didn’t have to wonder who she was.

She pulled back from his hug and turned to me with curious eyes. “Is this her?” She quietly asked him. He followed her gaze and some unreadable emotion crossed his face.

He eventually nodded and extended his hand towards me. “Esma, meet my wife Isabella.”

The genuine smile on Esma’s face completely blew me away. Unlike her brother, she looked like a bright sunflower blessing a beautiful field.

Her beauty wasn’t lacking either with her long wavy black hair and pretty grey eyes that matched Hunter’s so closely.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Isabella.” She said as she shook my hand softly. “I’m sorry I didn’t visit earlier to welcome you into our small family.”

I returned her smile. “I’m really happy to meet you as well. You’re nothing like Mr. Cold over here.”

Esma’s eyes widened before she doubled over in laughter. Hunter scowled at the two of us and Esma’s pure joy lightened the tension between us.

“Well come inside.” She invited me in. “I prepared some food after Hunter informed me that he was coming a day early.”

Esma’s home inside was just as warm and cozy as the outside. It had some magical touch in it that immediately made you feel like you were in your own home.

We spent the rest of the day talking and I learnt a lot of new things about Hunter that I hadn’t known before. He left about an hour ago however and it was just Esma and I home alone now. We were outside on the patio staring out at the view to the front of us.

“My brother always goes horse riding when he comes to visit me.” Esma informed me. “He will probably be back in about an hour or two.”

I glanced at her and didn’t realize that it was all over my face that I already missed Hunter and wanted to know where he’d disappeared to.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked as I took a seat next to her. She was gazing at the garden of roses when she turned to me with a small nod.

“Of course, ask me anything.”

I played with my fingers in my lap, not sure of how to go ahead with the questions. Everyone always closed up whenever I asked about Maggie; I was hoping that Hunter’s sister would be willing to tell me as much as she could.

“How did Maggie die?”